If it wasn't clear to AJHL fans already, the Grande Prairie Storm made it official this weekend—they are indeed a team to be reckoned with. After winning 2-1 Friday night in Bonnyville, the Storm made it a weekend sweep over the Pontiacs by doubling them 6-3 Saturday evening at the RJ Lalonde Arena.
The Storm have now won an impressive eight straight hockey games, as they continue their rise in the North Division standings. Grande Prairie remains one point back of first place Spruce Grove, as the Saints also won Saturday. However, the Storm enjoy four games in hand on the Saints.
For the second straight night, Jade McMullen had the winning goal for the Storm. His tally at the 19:06 mark of the second period snapped a 3-3 tie and put the visitors ahead to stay. Adam Boytinck added the insurance in the third period with his first two goals of the season. Jeremy Barriault, Jordan McTaggart and Sam Lawson also scored for Grande Prairie, with Lawson also adding a pair of assists for a three-point night.
The Storm powerplay continues to click as of late, as it went 2-for-6 on the night. The Pontiacs, meantime, scored once with the man advantage in just two opportunities in the contest.
Storm now return home next Friday to face a team that is even hotter than they are—the Brooks Bandits. The Bandits stretched their AJHL record for most wins at the start of a season to 20 in a row on Saturday night, as they blanked the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 5-0.
– Story submitted by Don Whiteford of www.PeaceCountrySports.com